Russia’s Gazprom says it will halt gas supplies to Moldova starting January 1
Live MintMoscow, Russia's state-owned energy giant Gazprom said on Saturday it will halt gas supplies to Moldova starting on January 1, citing alleged unpaid debt by the European Union candidate country, which has brought in emergency measures as it braces for power cuts. Gazprom has said Moldova owes close to USD 709 million for past gas supplies, a figure fiercely disputed by the government in the capital Chisinau. Recean added that Chisinau has pushed to diversify its natural gas supplies to reduce dependence on the Kuciurgan plant, and said the government will “carefully analyse legal options, including resorting to international arbitration” to protect Moldova's national interests. Russia cut off most natural gas supplies to Europe in 2022, citing disputes over payment in rubles, a move European leaders described as energy blackmail over their support for Ukraine against Russia's invasion.